Heavy Equipment Technician

Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the supervisory staff of the Fleet Maintenance Department, diagnoses, adjusts, repairs or overhauls mechanical, electrical and physical problems and other related damage including, but not limited to, tractors, skid steers, dozers, backhoes and other heavy machine equipment as indicated on work orders or discovered during inspection. Technician may have to work outside in all kinds of weather.

The Technician must possess knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repairs, and maintenance as well as have a knowledge of principles and processes for providing personal services to ensure District needs, assessments, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of District satisfaction. Demonstrates knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes. This is a full-time union position.

Typical Duties

Performs routine maintenance and servicing of heavy equipment for the District. Diagnoses mechanical failures and repairs heavy equipment components according to manuals, factory specifications, and knowledge of engine performance, using hand tools, power tools, and testing instruments by attaching compression, ignition, and timing test instruments to certain parts of heavy equipment, using clamps, hand tools, lifts, and computers utilizing diagnostic testing.

Starts engine dials and reads meters and gauges of testing equipment to diagnose engine malfunction. Removes and disassembles engine, transmission, and clutches, using hoists, jacks, and mechanic's tools.

Inspects heavy equipment for damage, and verifies dimensions and clearances of parts for conformance to factory specifications, using gauges, such as calipers, and micrometers.

Travel to various job sites to make electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic repairs on heavy equipment such as excavators, loaders, Trucks, Tractors, Generators, Trailers, forklifts, and more. Have experience with diesel heavy equipment repair so they can determine what parts and tools are necessary for repairs.

Grinds valves, relines, and adjusts brakes, tightens body bolts, aligns wheels, and tunes engine.

Welds and solders defective body or frame work when needed.

Performs repairs to the following: overheads minor and major electrical, engine electronic controls, minor and major engine overhaul, clutch replacement and adjustment, differential replacement, transmission overhaul, exhaust repairs, U-Joints, cab interiors, wheel seal brakes, leveling valves, shocks, thermostats, fan hub, air compressor, air drier, radiators, hoses, belts, alternators, batteries, lights, kingpins, shackle pins, bushings, drag link and tie rods, etc.

Possesses considerable physical ability requiring the use of arms and legs moving the whole body including, but not limited to, such as climbing, lifting, pulling, pushing, balancing, walking, stooping, significant fine finger dexterity and handling of materials weighing in excess of 50 pounds or greater.

Interacts with employees and supervisors, speaking to them about their equipment problems, potentially diagnosing the cause, and providing necessary assistance. Communicates well and writes reports clearly and in a timely manner.

Cleans garage facility, including sweeping and washing floors to prevent safety and fire hazards including, but not limited to, any specific work location.

Be able to use a tablet to run diagnostic tests and enter job information.

Updates computer records with information on vehicles serviced and work completed and maintains a daily work log.

Maintains work log records manually or via Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS).

Minimum Qualifications

Must possess a high school diploma, GED, or higher.

Must possess at least 3 years of full-time work experience repairing heavy equipment such as tractors, semis, trailers, dump-trucks, frontend loaders, telehandlers, backhoes, excavators, skidsteers, forklifts or similar type of equipment.

Must possess at least 2 years of work experience working on hydraulic systems and air brake systems.

Must possess certification in diesel technology or diesel mechanics.

Must possess experience conducting Department of Transportation (DOT) Vehicle Inspections.

Must possess a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Knowledge of basic math, including calculations using fractions, percentages, and/or ratios; ability to understand written procedures, write routine documents, speak clearly, and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.

Specific knowledge of tools, functions of tractor/heavy equipment engines, and basic computer knowledge.

Ability to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.

Specific skills required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: repairing tractors and other heavy equipment engines.

Ability to schedule activities; gather and/or collate data; and consider a variety of factors when using equipment.

Flexibility to work well with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined and similar processes; and operate equipment using a variety of processes.

Ability to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with data of varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of types of job-related equipment.

Ability to problem solve to identify issues and select action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is significant.

Specific abilities required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include troubleshooting heavy equipment performance problems.

Considerable physical ability that requires use of arms and legs moving the whole body, such as climbing, lifting, pulling, pushing, balancing, walking, stooping, significant fine finger dexterity and handling of materials weighing in excess of 50 pounds or greater.

Ability to communicate well and write reports clearly and in a timely manner.

Ability and willingness to work in an outdoor environment, including inclement weather.

Moderate to extensive travel to work assignments throughout District.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

Benefits Package

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Basic Term Life Insurance

Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:

http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

Veteran's Preference

When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must:

Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Identify him/herself as a Veteran on his/her employment application by answering "Yes" to the question "Are you a military veteran?"

Attach a copy of his/her DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of your application. If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, the one with the most recent date should be submitted. Coast Guard members must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911).

Provide original applicable discharge papers at time of interview.

General District Employment Requirements

PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR INTERVIEW.

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person's race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. We value our employees and the different talents, expertise, and viewpoints that each brings to the table. We believe a robust exchange of ideas results in better decision-making and we commit to providing a constructive, safe, and positive work atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and empowers individuals to thrive in their jobs.